Core for producing pipe couplings by electrodeposition



Nov. 28, 1939. 'A. c. ARBbGLAs'r CORE FOR PRODUCING PIPE COUPLINGS BYELECTRODEPOSITION Filed NOV. 23, 1937 w m R 0 W M V W m M aim W MPatented Nov. 23, 1939 UNITED STATES:

-FAT NT oi-riciaz CORE FOR PRODUCING PIPE COUPLINGS BY ELECTRODEPOSITIONAlfred C. Arbogast, .Elkhart, Ind., 'assignor to Northern Indiana BrassCompany, Elkhart,

Ind.

Application November 23, 1937, Serial No. 176,092 2 Claims. 204-6) Thisinvention relates to improvements in cores for producing pipe couplingsby electrodeposition.

The main objects of this invention are:

' First, to provide a novel and improved core for I use in producinghollow objects of irregular outline, more particularly elbow joint pipecouplings, by electrodeposition.

Second, to provide a core of the type described which is ofmultiple-part construction to facilim tate removal thereof from thefinished article.

Y Third, to provide a 'core of the type described Objects relatingtodetails and economies of 20 the invention will appear from thedescription to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of the invention is illustrated intheaccompanying drawing, wherein:

95 Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the multiple-part core of theinvention, the parts being in assembled operative relation. I

Fig. 2 is a view of the core in longitudinal section, more particularlyillustrating the details thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the manner of using the core in anelectroplating bath.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the core partially disassembled inrelation to a finished electrodeposited article which is shown insection.

Fig. 5 is a view partially broken away and in section illustrating thecompleted electroplated elbow fitting produced by the use of the core 0-this invention. v

This invention relates to a core for use in producing hollow objects ofirregular or curved out- 'line by electrodeposition. The core shown anddescribed is particularly adapted for the production of elbow pipefittings and has novel and improved provisions whereby it may beassembled and conveniently removed from such a finished article.However,.it will be apparent that the core is not unduly limited in itsapplication and may be employed in producingcurved articles other thanthe elbow fittings referred to.

' Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral I indicates generallythe core of the invention which consists ofa central segmental element 2having an external curvature corresponding to the curvature of the elbowdesired to be produced and extending over the major portion of the arcof the elbow. -On its inner side, the element 2 is under-cut ortruncated at its ends to provide angularly converging faces 3, 4 and a 5medial inner segment 5 corresponding in its internal curvature to theinternal curvature of the fitting to be produced. The portion 5 servesas a' locating abutment for supplemental forming elements or sections,indicated by the reference 10 numerals 6, I. These latter sections arelikewise in the form of truncated sections of an angular figurecorresponding to the curvature of the segment}, the sections beingprovided with angular truncated faces 8, 9 and shoulders I0, I l respec-.tively complementary to and adapted-to abut the faces 3, 4 and theshoulders formed by the segment 5. In properly assembled position, thesections 8, 2, I form a completed segment of an annulus corresponding inshape to the shape of the finished article to be produced byelectrodeposition.

In order to locate said sections in proper relative position, I providealining pins l2, l3 on sections 6, I respectively adapted to be receivedin recesses in the element 2, such as are-indicated by the referencenumeral l4, see Figs. 1 and 4.

Each section 6, I has a reduced externally threaded nipple i 5 bored andcountersunk as indicated generally at iii to receive a screw i! forsecuring sections 6 and I to the element 2 so which is likewise drilledand threaded internally. On the nipples I5, I provide members l8, l9which are externally shaped to form the enlarged female coupling ends orsockets of the finished fitting lill, said sockets being designated 20in Figs. 3, 4 and '5. The said member-sin, l9 are drilled and threadedat 2la for threaded attachment to the nipples l5 respectively. J; I v

In assembled form, the core i appears as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.The membersiifl, 19 are 40 provided with recesses 22 to receivea spannerwrench or other similar tool andthey likewise are provided with threadedrecesses 23 to 'receive a suspending member 24, see Fig. 3. The core isfirst assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and provided wtih a uniformcoating of suitable conducting material such as graphite, the ends 25 ofthe members I8, I! being left' uncoated for obvious reasons. The core isthen placed in an electroplating bath and a uniform coating of metaldeposited thereon. I

When finished, the core and fitting produced by electrodeposition areremoved from the bath and one or both of themembers l8, I! are rethecore can be withdrawn without further dis-' mantling the same, i. e.,with one or both of the members I8, l9 detached. However, in the eventthat this is impossible due to the curvature being too sharp, I thenunscrew one of the screws If! to release a section 5 or I as illustratedin Fig. 4. In the event that the removal of one of the sec tions is notsuflicient to free the core from the inside of the fitting so that itmay be withdrawn, the second section may be removed in a correspondingmanner, after which it will be found that the central element 2 isreadily displaceable from the fitting.

Cores in accordance with my invention may be provided for'theelectroplating of nearly all types of elbows and obviously the shape anddisposition of the faces 3, 4, 8 and 9 is capable of being variedgreatly in accordance with particular circumstances. Likewise, thelength of the small positioning segment 5 may be reduced or increased soas to.allow a greater or less rocking of the central element 2 in thefitting to remove the same. In an event, and without regard to theextent to which the core is to be dismantled to remove the same from thefitting, it will be found that the core produces a fitting which is verysmooth externally and internally, the meeting faces of the varioussections and elements of the core being capable of machining so as toprovide a very smooth exterior for the core.

The recesses 22 facilitate unscrewing of the members l8, l9 by a spannerwrench and if desired the suspending member 24 may be utilized towithdraw the core members from the interior of the fitting.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided .a corewhich is adaptable to producing a wide range of types and sizes of elbowjoints and other hollow curved objects, regular or irregular and simpleor complex in outline.

The core is inexpensive and readily manipulated and is characterized bythe excellent results which are obtainable in the finishedelectrodeposited fitting.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichis very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe otherembodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enablethose skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may bedesired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A core for producing electrodeposited elbow couplings, comprising anarcuate element having the surface thereof curved in conformity with thecurvature of the elbow to be produced, said element being angularlytruncated at opposite sides, a plurality of sections adapted to beassociated with said element and having curved surfaces complementingthe surface of the element when associated relative thereto, meansengaging said element and sections for connecting the same and means forcompleting said core comprising a pair of end members threadedlyengageable with said sections, said members and sections being removableto facilitate removal of the core from the finished coupling.

2. A core for producing electrodeposited elbow couplings, comprising anarcuate center element having the surface thereof curved in conformitywith the curvature of the elbow to be produced,

said element being angularly truncated at opposite sides, a sectionadapted to be associated at each end of said element and having a curvedsurface complementing the surface of the element when associatedrelative thereto, and means foi completing said core comprising an endmembe1 engageable with each of said sections, said center element andthe member and section at one end of the element being removable fromone end of the finished coupling.

ALFRED C. ARBOGAST.

